Today in Gold: Thursday, April 2

Each weekday, Cash4Gold will troll through the web's gold banter and post some of the bigger or more interesting stories. Following is a run-down of today's features:

"Gold prices slide as investors rush to into stocks"
Author: The Associated Press
Website: Google.com

Main Points: Gold for April delivery fell $18.80 to finish at $908.90 an ounce today. Stocks rallied on Wall Street amid efforts among world leaders to put an end to the global financial crisis at the G20 Summit.

"Investors reacted as finance ministers, gathered in London, pledged steps including $1.1 trillion for lending to less well-off countries and stepped-up regulation of financial markets."

Analysis: This follows two days of modest gains. Whether progress is made following this summit will help decide the fate of the gold price in the near term. As discussed, gold is most attractive to investors when other more riskier options are taking a beating.

"Gold price could fall 20% by end-year - SocGen"
Author: Rhona O'connell
Website: IBTimes.com

Main Points: Investment bank Société Générale has made a startling and bold projection, claiming the price of gold could fall below the $800 mark by the end of the year. Peaking at a shade over $1,000 an ounce in February, gold has been an attractive investment during tough economic times. The bank cites concerns that the low demand for gold in retail jewelry offsets any demands as an investment.

"The fact that prices fell very sharply when investment faltered over the turn of February and March is cited as a potential precursor to more of the same later in the year."

This will be a slow process throughout the year. Gold continues to benefit from economic uncertainty, but that, according to the bank, will change by the end of the year.

"For the short term, further investment activity is likely and higher prices are expected to come with it. For the longer term, though, the investor is expected to 'take his foot off the pedal' and this will put gold prices under substantial pressure."

Analysis: Goes to show the wide range of projections on the future price of gold. We've seen some project a price reaching and in excess of $1,500 an ounce, others projecting it to remain or stay close to flat, and now this. This is the most pessimistic projection we've covered on gold in the near term, but more evidence that there is no consensus on the investment.

There may be no better time than now to sell.